Mexican Supreme Court Decriminalizes Personal Marijuana Use
Mexico’s Supreme Court heard a landmark case on Wednesday, in which attorneys argued to legalize the use of cannabis on the grounds of human rights.
The BBC reports that the court voted 4-1 that the prohibition against growing marijuana for personal consumption was unconstitutional.
Although it will still be illegal to sell the drug, Wednesday’s ruling will likely lead to the full legalization of marijuana.
With the hopes of being allowed to grow pot for recreational use, the advocacy group Mexican Society for Responsible and Tolerant Personal Use initially brought the case forward in 2013.
Thanks to the Supreme Court’s decision, four members of the group will now be legally allowed to grow and smoke their own marijuana.
Mexico, which faces notorious cartel problems, remains divided on the subject of drug legalization.
President Enrique Peña Nieto has been steadfastly against changing Mexico’s current drug policy.
Judge Jose Ramon Cossio, who voted for the measure, feels that careful thought should go into any future drug laws.
"If ... this supreme court is taking such an important step toward legalization of drugs, or at least some of them, I suggest that we are equally careful and responsible in crafting a ruling of the same magnitude," he remarked.
As reported in The Wall Street Journal, Justice Olga Sánchez, who also voted in favor of the ruling, remarked that the same chamber that had just paved the way for the legalization of marijuana had also legalized same-sex marriage.
“This court recognized the reach of personal freedom,” said Sánchez. “People decide the course of their lives.”
President Peña Nieto tweeted that his administration would respect the Supreme Court’s decision.
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